Soccer training device, method of use and system

Abstract

An invention directed to a soccer training device, method of use and training system. The device is a deflection wall that may be portable. The wall having a larger and smaller embodiment, mimicking the silhouette of a soccer goal or an average player of a given age range from a far distance at simulated closer range. The inventive features of the wall intended to enhance quantity, quality, speed, and accuracy of interaction and perception between the user, the ball and the wall according to professional quality and professional level training techniques. Multiple wall units may be combined to create individualized training modules wherein one person may train in a simulated multi-player environment of varying levels of complexity. Two or more module units may be combined to create a soccer training system. The modules and systems may be staged in limited ground surface area both indoor and outdoor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This non-provisional utility patent application incorporates by reference the earlier filed provisional patent application, Application No. 61 / 662,551, in its entirety. This non-provisional patent application claims benefit of said copending provisional patent application, effectively filed on Jun. 21, 2012, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. 1.78 (a)(4)-(a)(6) and all other relevant sections of the law not referred to herein.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0004]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The invention herein achieves a quality and type of professional grade training never seen before for individualized soccer training. The award winning professional level skill and experience of the inventor as both a lifetime soccer athlete and coach has enabled the inventor to gain the proper insight to develop a device and system that offers these combined training features in an elegant and effective way. The goal of this invention is to enable an individual user to achieve high amounts of repetitious foot training, practice high speed multi-directional movement while maintaining tight control over a soccer ball, develop accurate aim, perception and intuition for the true parameters of the game, and eventually learn to strategize and control both the ball and the player's unpredictable environment. These goals are achieved by the unique design and training method described as follows.

[0020]The invention herein makes optimal use of material and design by improving on the following features: choice of material composition of the device to enhance realistic simulated interaction between the ball and user, effective use of exposed surfaces on the device to maximize interaction, ergonomic design to avoid unwanted secondary interactions (e.g., no protruding attachments from the wall such as nuts and bolts to avoid unnatural deflection of the ball from the wall, no extra framing, etc.), dimensional considerations so as to simulate true distance and size parameters between the players on a field, compressed dimensional features to encourage high speed proximate interaction, choice of color to condition the user's depth and peripheral perception, minimization of secondary distractions not natural to the game (such as loose rattling or reverberation), simulation of multi-player environment by modularizing the device which encourages high speed multidirectional interaction and control, consideration of distance between devices within a given module specifically to train passing techniques according to best practice for professional quality soccer training, adjustability of modules to control complexity and allow for personalized training.

[0021]The device described herein is a soccer deflection wall. Each wall is comprised of one or more panel and a supporting unit. Each said panel may be embodied in the shape of either a square or rectangle but is not limited to these described shape embodiments. The panels having rounded exposed corners to minimize wear and tear on a deflecting ball and to mimic the interaction of a ball against the curve of a player's foot. The word exposed hereinafter will mean any surface that is open and unobstructed from the general field environment such that said surface may have direct contact with a traversing ball approaching or deflecting from said surface. All exposed surfaces of the device that may serve to deflect the soccer ball should be completely even without protrusion, introverted contours, recesses, cracks or crevices, holes, extensions, etc. Protrusions from exposed surfaces such as bolts and frame attachments or crevices and cavities could cause unnatural deflection of the ball and risk expensive damage to the impacting ball. The dimension of the wall (vertical length and horizontal width) should simulate the proportional perspective of a far distant silhouette of a player of a given age range or goal post from close proximity. The device may be scaled up or down to the relative size of the user to achieve the intended purpose. For example, infant children approximately three years of age may require smaller versions of the device to achieve the same goals achievable by this invention. The reason for this preferred size dimension is to encourage accuracy of aim and perception within a compressed environment but to the true dimensions of opposing players at a distance on the field.

Problems solved by technology

Protrusions from exposed surfaces such as bolts and frame attachments or crevices and cavities could cause unnatural deflection of the ball and risk expensive damage to the impacting ball.

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